Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
The purpose of providing accessible educational materials (AEM), formerly known as accessible instructional materials (AIM), is to ensure that all students with print disabilities have the opportunity to perceive the information contained in educational materials. This site is designed for Oklahoma educators, parents and students. AEM services offered throughout our state are outlined below.
IDEA: Accessible Educational Materials
Provisions within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) require State and local education agencies to ensure textbooks and related core instructional materials are provided to students with print disabilities in specialized formats. These materials must be provided in a timely manner, usually about the same time as the traditional materials are received for other students, unless unusual circumstances exist.
AEM as Specialized Formats
Specialized formats include braille, large print, audio and digital text; but, do not include the altering of the content.
Specialized formats are increasingly becoming available through accessible media producers, including free and commercial sources. However, the “do-it-yourself” method of teacher-produced materials, often created by scanning the material or by creating it on a computer as digital text, remains a conventional way to meet the needs of students.
♦ Braille is a tactile system of reading and writing made up of raised dot patterns for letters, numbers and punctuation marks. This format is used almost exclusively by people with visual impairments or blindness.
♦ Large print is generally defined as 18 point or larger font size. Large print may be printed on pages that are the same size as a standard textbook page or on pages of larger size.
♦ Audio formats present content as sound with no visual component. Audio formats include recorded human voice or synthesized electronic speech.
♦ Digital text provides electronic content that is delivered on a computer or another device. Electronic content may be changed in many ways (e.g., size, contrast, read aloud) to accommodate the needs and preferences of the student.
Resources for School Staff
• AIM Navigator (An online tool that facilitates the decision-making process.)
• Upcoming AEM Center Webinars & Presentations
Accessible Media Producers
• The National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) is the national library of files developed according to the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS). To receive specialized formats created with NIMAS source files from the NIMAC, a student must:
• Have an IEP. This means the child has undergone an evaluation and is or will be receiving special education services under IDEA; and
• Be certified by a competent authority as having a “print disability” as defined by copyright statute.
• BookShare creates and provides files that can be used by students with print disabilities who need materials in digital text, audio, or braille formats. Materials are free for students with print disabilities.
• Learning Ally is a membership organization supporting people with dyslexia and print disabilities.
• American Printing House for the Blind is the world's largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace and independent living products and services for people who are visually impaired.
Local Accessible Media Producers
• Liberty Braille provides braille transcription and embossing, tactile graphics and large print materials.
• Oklahoma Library for the Blind helps meet the educational needs of Oklahoma students who are unable to make use of standard print by providing textbooks and other instructional materials in Braille, large print, and other accessible formats.
Providers for Oklahoma Students
The following sources are available for Oklahoma students, often at no cost to the school. Their services help meet the student's individualized needs by allowing the student access to educational materials through the appropriate specialized format.
• Oklahoma Library for the Blind
The National Center on AEM
The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials provides resources for educators, parents, students, publishers, conversion houses, accessible media producers, and others interested in learning more about AEM and implementing AEM and NIMAS.
